National Great Outdoors Month – June 2026

Contact: Barbara Golden
Phone: 904-669-8142
Email: BGolden@FloridasHistoricCoast.com

Timing: Spring/Summer

Summer is the perfect time to explore Florida’s Historic Coast. With miles of water and currents flowing in every direction, the outdoors on Florida's Historic Coast make for one of the most kayak-friendly places in the U.S.

Discover unique wildlife, flora and fauna along our beaches and parks - don’t miss the resort area, Ponte Vedra Beach, which has some beautiful hiking areas. And for fishing enthusiasts, the opportunities are unmatched -offering saltwater and freshwater, inland and deep-sea experiences. Take a fishing charter or cast a line from a a pier; just be sure to secure a license first.

Fishing events bring the coast to life in June. Highlights include the Old School Kingfish Tournament (June 13-14), the Fired-Up Kingfish Tournament (June 19-21), and the 27th Annual Wildwood Fishing Tournament (June 27), all taking place in St. Augustine. Dozens of experienced guides are available to help anglers of all skill levels target redfish, snapper, trout, flounder and more in local waters. Outfitters such as St. Augustine EcoTours, Earth Kinship Eco Tours and GeoTripping Adventure Company offer naturalist-guided excursions into the pristine waterways of Florida’s Historic Coast to learn about the local dolphin population, birdlife and the region’s unique ecosystem.

Throughout the summer scenic trails, expansive parks, and coastal waterways invite visitors to embrace the outdoors. From sunrise fishing along the Intracoastal to shaded hikes beneath maritime forests, the region offers a refreshing blend of relaxation and adventure. Explore miles of picturesque hiking and biking trails, ride along pristine stretches of coastline or paddle Salt Run at Anastasia State Park. Visitors can also discover the trail systems at the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Monthly guided walks and nature programs continue throughout the summer at the GTM Reserve, including beach exploration walks, guided hikes of the Guana peninsula highlighting 5,000 years of human history, and family seine netting experience to study fish and crabs in their natural habitat. Anastasia State Park offers guided bird walks, while St. Johns Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve in Hastings features Florida’s largest collection of palm species and a beautifully preserved creekside area – one of the coolest spots in North Florida.

Whether casting a line, exploring historic parks, or enjoying open-air experiences, Florida’s Historic Coast delivers an unforgettable summer escape rooted in nature and adventure.